off-season letter to parents

Great idea coach... I like that idea.

coachcb,
amazing how very true that is! Wouldn't it be great to be so matter of fact with parents? It is amazing how kids and parents respond to good ol fashioned hard work. I am sick of those people that think that being good just happens! When you figure this issue out, write and book and retire!

Any time you need an assistant coach...hit me up. That is legendary.

What we did was lay out our plan for the off-season S&C program along with a points system for rewards. We then had a meeting with all of the potential players and went over it in detail, asking any questions etc.

On the last page it was a contract, we needed the players and PARENTS to sign the contract to get in the program. We laid out
very clearly what the expectations were, and what the rewards were. We even had some parents come and meet with the coaches to discuss the plan. So far we have had 20-25 kids per session, this from of team with around 45-50 kids. The rest are in other sports. And I am happy to say that they have been working their butts off.

There will always be lazy kids (and parents) who think they can get by with just "talent", but by and large I have found if you push a kid with a specific goal in mind, you show them how to get results, they will work hard.

I went to a high school where the coaches of all sports cooperated to run an off-season conditioning program that was open to all athletes who were not out for a sport that season. It was essentially open, and the coaches and captains promoted it. The coaches took attendance and kept stats, not so much "why weren't you here yesterday" but more "look at the progress you are making" and "look at what Joe's doing..." ... very positive vibe.... Also, they worked with all the athletes, including the non-football players. It was mostly football players, but there were a good sprinkling of non-football athletes.

It was the place to be after school, that's where your friends and the cool kids were.

Of course, we didn't have X-box or the internet then.

Were you the HC?

Not verbatim but basically ours says,

Dear Parents, to play in a varsity game nest season your son needs 100 workouts. They earn these workouts by attending our weight room and completing our workout (either in weight training class or after school). If they play another school sport all practices and games count to that total.

We start counting workouts first day back in January; never had a problem it is our policy. Some days offer 2 workouts (in the weightroom after days on the track) We may have lost couple bag holders here or there but nothing too bad. All kids and parents know our policy

Here's how mine would (will go, some day) if I had more options:

Dear Parents of ____ Football Players,

The off-season is upon us and the staff here a ____ High cannot wait to build off of the success we had in the 2011 season. We are sending out this letter for several reasons. Firstly, we cannot stress enough how important participation in off-season conditioning is to the success of our football program. We must continually strive to improve as a football team throughout the winter, spring and summer. With that being said, attitude, effort and commitment to getting better are valued in this football program above everything, including athletic ability. Your son's playing time will be strongly influenced by how much dedication he displays during this off-season. As such, we have established a number system for keeping track of the players' commitment to ____ football.

1. There will be three weight training sessions offered each day. One in the morning, during weight training class period, and after school. A weight training workout a day will be worth one point. An athlete may not "double up" and may only receive one point each day. However, multiple workouts by an athlete will be noted by the staff.

2. We understand that many of the kids participate in winter, spring and summer sports. As such, practices for these sports will also be worth a point. Again, a player involved in a sport may only receive one point but participating in a weight training session or class will not go unnoticed.

3. We will have certain training sessions that are worth two points. These include morning throwing sessions and "iron-man" team building workouts. These will be noted in the schedule enclosed.

4. In order for a player to letter, they must receive 80% of the points in the winter and spring. The staff does not feel that this is asking too much of the athletes as there are many opportunities to pick up points. Along with this 80%, the players must also pick up 75% of the points in the summer. Again, the players must participate at these levels in order to letter.

We have also included an off-season workout schedule with this letter so that there is no confusion as to when and where our workouts will fall. We look forward to pressing on and improving the quality of our program. We strive to following the program's motto:

"Every Day and Every Way, We Get a Little Better!"

Thanks,

Coach _______)

Ahh, but this is the beauty of it. You're not telling them they can't play, you're telling them they can't letter. Let them throw a fit and just tell them that Lil Billy always has the opportunity to play but may not letter.

Those of you that use the point system for lettering purposes, do you see that it helps serve as a type of motivation for today's youth? Also, have any of you ever tried incorporating other things to build points such as grades and community service?